Oakland Raiders Team History

The Raiders were professional football’s most consistent team from the mid-1960s through the mid-1980s, reaching the playoffs 15 times and earning four NFL or American Football League (AFL) titles in 19 seasons. As AFL champions, they played in the second Super Bowl, in 1968, and lost to the Green Bay Packers. During John Madden’s ten years as head coach (1969-1978), Oakland played in seven league or conference championship games and won one Super Bowl, in 1977. From 1980 to 1993 the team reached the postseason eight times, winning the Super Bowl in 1981 and 1984. The Raiders are the only team that appeared in at least one Super Bowl each decade during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The Raiders joined the AFL as a charter member in 1960. The team spent its first three seasons changing stadiums and recording losing records. Al Davis, a former assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers, was hired as head coach and general manager in 1963. He reorganized the Raiders, and the team improved to a 10-4 win-loss record. Four years later, the club captured the 1967 AFL title under head coach John Rauch.

For a brief period, the new AFL team was known as the Senors but by the time the 1960 season started, the Oakland team was known as the Raiders. The origin of the Raiders name is not known but, since it is doubtful a fan contest would have been staged in Oakland since the first team would have to play in San Francisco, it is most likely the name was chosen by principal owner Chet Soda and his partners.

Oakland Raiders - Stadium

Network Associates Coliseum

Oakland Raiders Chronological History

1960 - The Raiders join the AFL.

1965 - The Raiders play their last game at Frank Youell Field, a 24-14 win over the New York Jets

1967 - The Raiders win their first AFL title.

1968 - The Raiders lose the Super Bowl 33-14 to the Green Bay Packers. November 17th was the date of the infamous "Heidi" game. The Raiders beat New York 43-32, but their great come-back win was cut off by the television network so they could start the movie "Heidi" on time.

1993 - The Raiders beat the Vikings, 24-7, in their first game in the newly-renovated L.A. Coliseum on September 5th.

1994 - Following the regular season, the Raiders moved back to Oakland after low fan support and disagreements with the city over renovations. Oakland welcomed the Raiders back with a freshly remodeled stadium.

2003 – Oakland Lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 48-21, in Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26th.

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